The older I get, the faster time seems to go. I remember as a child, summers seemed to last forever. I remember that my family had been invited to a friend of my father’s and that he had an in ground swimming pool. It seemed to take forever for the long anticipated time of visit to arrive.

Now I can barely hold onto a day. But here is the strange thing. Although time seems to be going by faster, the amount of time in a day, 24 hours, remains the same. This is why I am not having a panic attack about this.

Time is an illusion of sorts. I wish someone could explain how this works, and if it is working, to me.

It’s already July, and yes we are losing daylight. This illusion is exacerbated by the fact that it is again overcast, and drizzling.

I want Summer in the Park(s) to be over because it’s a lot of work. There’s also some uncertainty involved. I never know how it’s going to go. It’s true that every day is different.

Take this off the agenda and take Friday Fling off the agenda and I will again have breathing room. I only partially knew what I was getting into when I proposed to funders that we be in the park(s) every single day. And so, I am so looking forward to this being over on the 7th and having more time to myself until the 21st, when the Alaska State Fair begins.

I, in this space of time, am going to start to do body work and also exercise more. Another year has gone by in which I am not doing Mt. Marathon. It will not be any easier next year. This, of course, is one of life’s greatest unfairnesses.

Well today I put on the dinosaur suit, and I met the other three volunteers over at the side yard of the Palmer Visitor Center. Time went by fast as I talked with dozens of parents and encouraged them to take books home with them.

Pete was right in observing that those most interested in the project are those from out of town. I’ve been telling them that they need to go home and start a satellite Bright Lights Book Project. I think it would be fun, my getting to be an advisor, and getting a free trip. Could happen.

We could sure use a benefactor. This said, all that is needed is to be in the right place at the right time.

It was gratifying. Yes, this is the word – to look out at the Palmer Visitor Center lawn and see parents reading to children. The good thing about this very public gesture is that parents who weren’t reading were watching. I of course hope they were seeing quiet, attentive children.

I finished at 3:15 p.m., just in time to give Pete a hand. We worked until 9 p.m. But tomorrow being the fourth of July, I am not going anywhere tomorrow.

Next: 181. 7/4/26: I will run no race before my time